City of Refuge, a nonprofit that helps people transition out of crisis, recently launched Refuge Ride, a bus service for South Baltimore that offers free transportation for residents to essential services, like a food bank, pharmacy, medical center, and grocery store. The service operates on weekdays and requires riders to sign up to be guaranteed a seat.The area City of Refuge serves — the 21225 zip code — is disproportionately affected by food insecurity and a general lack of critical services. The Refuge Ride bus will help alleviate the obstacle of transportation for many of people who live there. Nearly 40% of the residents live below the federal poverty level, making owning a car, taking ride shares, taxis, and even public transportation a financial strain.“The bus has been particularly helpful to residents like Sandye, a senior with mobility issues who lives alone,” reads the bus launch announcement. “Now, Sandye is able to get her food and medications with ease – and without having to pay for transportation.”Funding for the Refuge Ride bus comes from the South Baltimore 7 (SB7) Coalition — a partnership of six South Baltimore neighborhoods and MAG Partners, the developer of Baltimore Peninsula. The partnership has brought more than $20 million in support to City of Refuge’s work through Baltimore Peninsula’s community benefits agreement (CBA).Photo from City of Refuge Facebook page.City of Refuge is a nonprofit, faith-based organization focused on helping people transition out of crisis. It is available to everyone in Baltimore, though their primary work takes place with people in the 21225 zip code. Their programs include providing essential services to residents in need, like a food pantry (open three days per week); a prepared meals program (available four days per week); providing baby supplies (one day per week), and more. They also offer free legal aid, and regularly offer legal clinics to the community free of charge.The Refuge Rides don’t always take the same route, so residents should check their website, follow City of Refuge on Facebook or other social media to stay up to date. For example, in preparation for Thanksgiving, they offer one route on odd-numbered dates, and a different route on even-numbered dates. The stops on an odd-numbered date (e.g. Nov. 23) include places like Walmart, Aldi, the Cherry Hill Rec Center, Harbor Hospital, and the Cherry Hill Light Rail Station. The service does its best to drop passengers off at their residence at the end of their ride.Refuge Ride does not operate on weekends. It is accessible for people with wheelchairs and mobility aids, though they request you indicate that when you sign up for your ride.“Refuge Ride is a game-changer for South Baltimore,” said Billy Humphrey, Executive Director of City of Refuge. “By connecting residents to essential services like food, pharmacy, medical and transportation hubs, we’re fostering healthier, more vibrant communities. We’re proud to offer free transportation to our neighbors in the South Baltimore six neighborhoods who need it most, and we’re thankful to the SB7 Coalition for their support in making a positive difference in our neighborhoods.”